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Friedman Twin Sister 40-watt 2-channel Tube Head

2-channel, 40-watt Guitar Tube Amplifier Head with Custom Transformers, 3-band EQ, Series Effects Loop, and Footswitch
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Friedman Twin Sister 40-watt 2-channel Tube Head
Friedman Twin Sister 40-watt 2-channel Tube Head

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Twin Sister 40-watt 2-channel Tube Head with 65-watt 1x12 Cabinet

Twin Sister Head and Vertical 212 Cab Half Stack Bundle
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Friedman Twin Sister 40-watt 2-channel Tube Head
$2,999.99
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The 2-channel Dirty Shirley You've Been Waiting For

Ranging from smooth cleans to Friedman's famous high-gain tones, the Friedman Twin Sister 40-watt tube amplifier delivers world-class performance based on the legendary JTM 45. If that sounds familiar, that's because the Twin Sister is essentially a two-channel version of their acclaimed Dirty Shirley tube amp. Whether you're looking for clean, crunch, or molten leads, you'll be able to dial it in. Crank up the preamp gain for modern lead tones, or back off the gain and crank the master for the explosive sound of raging 5881 power tubes. Each of the Twin Sister's channels offers a Bright switch and three-way Gain switch that are incredibly useful for fine-tuning the amp's response for any type of pickups. Complete with an ultra-transparent series effects loop for your pedals, you'll appreciate the Friedman Twin Sister's versatility whether on stage or in the studio.

Related Videos: Twin Sister 40-watt 2-channel Tube Head

An all-tube rock 'n' roll machine

With 40 watts of all-tube power, the Friedman Twin Sister guitar amp head gives you killer classic rock tones. Ranging from shimmering cleans to slightly overdriven tones to pushed lead tones a la Zep and ZZ Top, this rock 'n' roll powerhouse has the tones you're looking for. A 3-position switch lowers your overall gain structure — the highest setting delivers the Dirty Shirley's original sound while the lower two yield phenomenal vintage-tinged tones. A duo of 5881 power tubes — a favorite among Sweetwater guitarists — delivers a punchy and touch responsive sound that guitar players long for. When you're rocking out and need to clean up your tone just roll back your guitar's volume and keep playing.

Handbuilt for exceptional tone

All Friedman Amplification products are handwired to exacting specs to give you amazing tones every time you play. Premium components and attention to detail ensure that your Twin Sister amp head will deliver the sound you want and need onstage or in the studio. It doesn't matter what type of music you're into; a premium, handbuilt Friedman amp has the tonal palette you need to create the sound you're after.

Dave Friedman: amp guru to the pros

For over 25 years, Dave Friedman has been tweaking, building, and repairing amps for some of the biggest names in music. His legendary reputation among touring musicians has gained him a loyal clientele including the likes of Eddie Van Halen, Steve Stevens, Jerry Cantrell, and more. Dave has created his own production amp line utilizing his sought-after skills and talents. Now you can get the same legendary amp tones as the pros, with the Friedman Twin Sister.

Friedman Amplification Twin Sister Guitar Amplifier Head Features:

  • 40-watt, 2-channel all-tube amplifier with British voicing
  • Footswitch included for channel switching
  • Bright switch and 3-position gain switch per channel, helpful for fine-tuning the amp's response for any guitar or pickups
  • An ideal amp for rock
  • Powered by dual 5881 power tubes
  • Powerful tone-shaping potential with per-channel 3-band EQ
  • Handwired amplifier built using premium components including custom transformers and capacitors
  • Dual speaker outputs let you use up to 2 speaker cabs, with switchable 4-, 8-, or 16-ohm operation
  • Ultra-transparent series effects loop for your favorite pedals

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Tube
  • Number of Channels: 2
  • Output Power: 40W
  • Preamp Tubes: 5 x 12AX7
  • Power Tubes: 2 x 5881
  • EQ: 3-band EQ, Presence, Deep, Bright
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • Outputs: 2 x 1/4" (speakers)
  • Effects Loop: Yes
  • Footswitch I/O: 1 x 1/4" (channel)
  • Footswitch Included: Yes, 1-button footswitch
  • Bias Type: Adjustable Fixed
  • Construction Material: Baltic Birch with Black Tolex
  • Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
  • Height: 9.5"
  • Width: 24"
  • Depth: 8.5"
  • Weight: 32 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: Twin Sister Head

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Reviews

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Outstanding Guitar Amplifier
I've been trying to be patient about writing this review, but I can't wait any longer! This amp sounds as good as I hoped it would. I play rock, blues and country old and new. The TS is very easy to dial in great tones. In fact, it's difficult to make this thing sound bad. The three gain structures allow tons of options. I am able to get sweet, full, sparkling clean sounds with hum-buckers by dialing the gain way back and cranking the master. Plenty of headroom and clean volume for me. The overdriven tones are out-of-this-world complex, smooth or gnarly as you choose. The TS has all kinds of low end on tap playing clean or distorted. That's refreshing. All of the tone controls are very well voiced with useable sweeps. This amp is plenty loud for 40 watts. It does a surprisingly nice job at low bedroom volume too. Higher volumes sound incredible. I purchased the 112 DS cab. Friedman now refers to this as their 112 Large Open Back Cab. The cab matches very well with the TS head. I love classic rock guitar tones and the TS delivers in spades. Rich, harmonic single notes, chunking rhythms, and warm tones that clean up sweetly with guitar volume. If you're into that, you will be at home with this amp. I'm extremely excited about this one! Huge loads of gratitude goes out to Matt Brooks, my Sweetwater man who always helps me navigate the purchasing process. I trust Matt and that means everything. Thanks a million!
by John from Iowa on
Music background: Almost 50 years
Outstanding!
The Twin Sister sounds and feels unbelievable. 5 out of 5 Great amp. The tolex on the corners are not the best who cares This thing rocks big time!
by Chris LaRue from Oklahoma on
Music background: All types
Friedman Twin Sister is GOAT
The first 32 years of playing guitar were the hardest. Because that's how long it was before I discovered my first Friedman (At least the first 22 years or so of that, Friedman's weren't in existence yet, so that makes me feel better.)

Seriously, the tone thing is critical, whether you play an acoustic or electric guitar. There is the TONE that YOU provide in your fingers and phrasing, etc. But then there's the basic TONE of the instrument. When playing electric guitar, the "instrument" includes not only the guitar and its woods and pups, but also the amp and speakers you play through. In fact, 70% of your tone in electric guitar is generated by amp and speakers. If not more so. PICK WISELY!! I made the mistake of thinking it was all about the guitar. Guitar and pups are the smallest part of the equation folks. Get a GREAT AMP first and foremost!

Speaking of great amps, you are looking at a GOAT here. Friedman amps are special. And within the Friedman world, the JTM45 inspired Dirty Shirley, a.k.a. Little Sister (DS V2.0), is for me, the KING.

This is an amp that pretty much defies you to try to come up with a bad sound out of it. No, what this amp does is make everything sound delicious and MUSICAL. That's a key point. This is a MUSICAL amp. You've worked your whole life to develop that great TONE in your fingers and your ears. But amps often stand in the way, in truth. Not this one. It shines. It's the Stradivarius of guitar amplifiers. Articulation is its lifeblood. Definition is its trademark. The smile on your face becomes a permanent fixture.

There's something that happens to your playing when you are no longer ever distracted by chasing tone anymore. Amp has that base covered so well it becomes forgotten about. Now you can focus 100% on the TONE in your FINGERs. What a joy of an amp. Never ceases to inspire me with it's musicality.

Friedman owner tips: The Mids knob is your FRIEND. Don't be afraid of it. Like Dave says in the manuals somewhere, mids make you HEARD. Don't just do the automatic no-mids thing (even though it will still sound incredible if you do...) All the EQ on any Friedman ACTUALLY WORKS and is very adjustable and meaningful. Change guitars, it still sounds killer, but you can still polish it more with a small EQ adjust for the guitar in hand.

The Twin Sister Circuit also doesn't need much bass help. Try the bass at 5 or below, it's a less is more kind of thing. If you bass is too loose on high gain, CUTBACK on Bass and it tightens up. On high gain settings on this amp, I've been known to turn the bass down to 2 on some of my darker sounding guitars. And on 2 they sound KILLER.

All I ever have to do is replace tubes now and then and these amps just never cease to work and shine.

Enjoy your instrument (amp)!
by kirk from Reno on
Music background: Long time player, gigger and wanna be.
Typical Friedman!
Yeah, it sounds great! I also have the BE50 DLX which isn't going anywhere. I got this one for a different flavor and it doesn't disappoint. The real difference is the feel. Hard to explain but cool in it's own way. Definitely more of a sponge feel. The BE50 is more of an immediate attack. Both are cool.

Lot's of low end but it can be dialed out. Clean sounds are more edge of breakup... which is what I was looking for. Loop is great. Low volume is good, but drummer volume and above is magic. I ran modulation pedals in front and it's great.

I really like this as a compliment to my BE50 DLX. Thanks to Spunde for taking care of me!
by Plexi Paul from PA on
Music background: Active gigging musician
Wow, just incredible!
It just sound sooooo good! I'm comparing to my other amps, and EVH 5150 III lunchbox 15 watt, and a Marshall SV20. Each amp unique, but the Friedman just sounds so.... big and full. It' hard to describe it. The Twin Sister will shake your soul in a good way, it will tune out the world and put you in that heightened zone of oozing tone nirvana. Fantastic master volume still sounds excellent at low volumes and absolutely killer at even 9:00 o'clock on the master knob; really makes me question why my SV20 didn't add a master volume (they just had to stay vintage), but the Friedman will get used more as a result.

Some people have compared the Twin Sister (Dirty Shirley) to the Marshall SV20. I think it's a fair comparison-- here are my thoughts. The Sv20 still sounds more Marshally. Does that make sense? If you want the Marshall Vintage plexi tone to a T, you still have to go with Marshall. The SV20 sounds great, really. The Friedman is just much more versatile and I feel like the plexi sound that you can get from the Friedman just sounds fuller. Its subjective, but I prefer the sound of the Friedman for most songs most of the time. The Marshall, I feel still has better cleans, but I'm still learning how to dial those in on the Friedman.

I paired the amp with a Buxom Boost pedal, and I gotta say, it makes it that much more versatile and easier to dial in the EQ of the amp. Great, relatively inexpensive addition.
by Mark from Utah, USA on
See also: Amp Heads, Friedman, Friedman Guitar Amp Heads